Linda Migliaccio has struggled with her weight since high school, battling fluctuating weight for years.

At just 15, she began dieting, but it was an ongoing cycle of losing and regaining weight, often with the ups and downs of her binge eating disorder.

Over the years, Linda estimates that she has lost and regained significant amounts of weight at least 12 times.

Her lowest point came after the loss of her mother. Linda reached her highest weight of 349 lbs. while caring for her mom. During this time, she gained 200 lbs., and a fall left her with torn ACL and meniscus in her right knee.

When a surgeon told her she was too heavy for surgery and would likely end up in a wheelchair within a year unless she lost weight, it was a wake-up call that changed everything.

That blunt honesty was the best thing that could have happened to me,” she shared. It pushed her to make a change, and she embraced a nutritarian diet, focusing on fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts.

She allowed herself occasional indulgences, like cheesesteaks and ice cream, maintaining a healthy balance.

With the support of her friends and her TOPS weight loss group, Linda lost 189 lbs. in two years, and her knee didn’t require surgery.

Today, Linda is on a path toward happiness and health, finally finding joy in her journey. “I’m finally starting to tap into what makes me happy,” she said.